– Data will be featured in the ASCO press program on Saturday, June 2, and presented at ASCO on Monday, June 4 –

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Genentech, a member of the Roche Group (SIX: RO, ROG; OTCQX: RHHBY), today announced that results from the Phase III IMpower131 study showed TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab) plus chemotherapy (carboplatin and ABRAXANE® [albumin-bound paclitaxel; nab-paclitaxel]) reduced the risk of disease worsening or death (progression-free survival; PFS) by 29 percent compared with chemotherapy (carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel) alone in the initial (first-line) treatment of people with advanced squamous non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) (median PFS=6.3 vs. 5.6 months; hazard ratio [HR]=0.71, 95 percent CI: 0.60, 0.85, p=0.0001). The 12-month PFS rate was doubled for people who received the TECENTRIQ combination (24.7 percent) compared to those who received chemotherapy alone (12.0 percent). A statistically significant overall survival (OS) benefit was not observed at the interim analysis, and the study will continue as planned. The safety profile of the TECENTRIQ plus chemotherapy combination was consistent with the safety profiles of the individual medicines, and no new safety signals were identified with the combination.

“The IMpower131 data further inform our understanding of this difficult-to-treat type of lung cancer and will continue to as we evaluate additional outcomes from this study,” said Sandra Horning, M.D., chief medical officer and head of Global Product Development. “IMpower131 is one of eight Phase III trials from our extensive research program evaluating TECENTRIQ alone or in combination with other medicines in different types of lung cancer.”

Data will be featured in the official American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting press program on Saturday, June 2, 2018, at 8:00 a.m. CDT. The oral data presentation will be on Monday, June 4, 2018, at 3:00 – 3:12 p.m. CDT (Abstract LBA9000).

About the IMpower131 study

IMpower131 is a Phase III, open-label, multicenter, randomized study evaluating the efficacy and safety of TECENTRIQ in combination with carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel or TECENTRIQ in combination with carboplatin and paclitaxel versus chemotherapy (carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel) alone in people with stage IV squamous-cell NSCLC who have not been previously treated with chemotherapy. The study enrolled 1,021 people who were randomized equally (1:1:1) to receive:

TECENTRIQ plus carboplatin and paclitaxel (Arm A), or

TECENTRIQ plus carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel (Arm B), or

Carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel (Arm C, control arm)

During the treatment-induction phase, people in Arm A received four or six cycles of TECENTRIQ plus carboplatin and paclitaxel, given on day one of each 21-day cycle. This was followed by maintenance therapy with TECENTRIQ every three weeks until progression of the cancer, or for as long as clinical benefit was observed.

During the treatment-induction phase, people in Arm B received four or six cycles of TECENTRIQ, carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel. TECENTRIQ and carboplatin were administered on day one of each 21-day cycle. Nab-paclitaxel was administered on days one, eight and 15 of each 21-day cycle. This was followed by maintenance therapy with TECENTRIQ every three weeks until progression of the cancer, or for as long as clinical benefit was observed.

During the treatment-induction phase, people in Arm C received four or six cycles of carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel. Carboplatin was administered on day one of each 21-day cycle, and nab-paclitaxel was administered on days one, eight and 15 of each 21-day cycle. In the maintenance phase, participants received best supportive care.

The co-primary endpoints were:

PFS as determined by the investigator using RECIST v1.1 in the intention-to-treat (ITT) population (Arm B vs. Arm C)

OS in the ITT population (Arm B vs. Arm C)

Key secondary endpoints were:

PFS as determined by the investigator using RECIST v1.1 in the Tumor Cell (TC) 2/3 or Tumor-Infiltrating Immune Cell (IC) 2/3 population

PFS as determined by the investigator using RECIST v1.1 in the TC1/2/3 or IC1/2/3 population

OS in the TC2/3 or IC2/3 population

OS in the TC1/2/3 or IC1/2/3 population

Percentage of participants with objective response (OR) as determined by the investigator using RECIST v1.1 in the ITT population

Duration of response (DoR) as determined by the investigator using RECIST v1.1 in the ITT population

IMpower131 met its PFS co-primary endpoint per study protocol. This analysis of IMpower131 evaluated Arm B vs. Arm C. Due to pre-specified statistical testing hierarchy, Arm A vs Arm C has not been formally tested yet. As per the statistical analysis plan, Arm B (TECENTRIQ plus carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel) must demonstrate a statistically significant OS result vs. Arm C (carboplatin and nab-paclitaxel) before an analysis between Arm A (TECENTRIQ plus carboplatin and paclitaxel) and Arm C can be made for PFS and OS.

The safety profile of the TECENTRIQ plus chemotherapy combination was consistent with the safety profiles of the individual medicines, and no new safety signals were identified with the combination. Serious adverse events related to treatment were observed in 20 percent of people who received TECENTRIQ plus chemotherapy compared to 10 percent of those who received chemotherapy alone.

About lung cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, it is estimated that more than 234,000 Americans will be diagnosed with lung cancer in 2018, and NSCLC accounts for 85 percent of all lung cancers. It is estimated that approximately 60 percent of lung cancer diagnoses in the United States are made when the disease is in the advanced stages.

About TECENTRIQ® (atezolizumab)

TECENTRIQ is a monoclonal antibody designed to bind with a protein called PD-L1. TECENTRIQ is designed to bind to PD-L1 expressed on tumor cells and tumor-infiltrating immune cells, blocking its interactions with both PD-1 and B7.1 receptors. By inhibiting PD-L1, TECENTRIQ may enable the re-activation of T cells. TECENTRIQ may also affect normal cells.

Abraxane is a registered trademark of Abraxis Bioscience, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Celgene Corporation.

TECENTRIQ U.S. Indication (pronounced ‘tē-SEN-trik’)

TECENTRIQ is a prescription medicine used to treat:

A type of bladder and urinary tract cancer called urothelial carcinoma.

TECENTRIQ may be used when your bladder cancer:

has spread or cannot be removed by surgery (advanced urothelial carcinoma), and

you are not able to take chemotherapy that contains a medicine called cisplatin, or

you have tried chemotherapy that contains platinum, and it did not work or is no longer working

The approval of TECENTRIQ in these patients is based on a study that measured response rate and duration of response. There is an ongoing study to confirm clinical benefit.

A type of lung cancer called non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

TECENTRIQ may be used when your lung cancer:

has spread or grown, and

you have tried chemotherapy that contains platinum, and it did not work or is no longer working

If your tumor has an abnormal EGFR or ALK gene, you should have also tried an FDA-approved therapy for tumors with these abnormal genes, and it did not work or is no longer working.

It is not known if TECENTRIQ is safe and effective in children.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information about TECENTRIQ?

TECENTRIQ can cause the immune system to attack normal organs and tissues in many areas of the body and can affect the way they work. These problems can sometimes become serious or life threatening and can lead to death.

Patients should call or see their healthcare provider right away if they get any symptoms of the following problems or these symptoms get worse.

TECENTRIQ can cause serious side effects, including:

Lung problems (pneumonitis)–signs and symptoms may include new or worsening cough, shortness of breath, and chest pain

Liver problems (hepatitis)–signs and symptoms of hepatitis may include yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, severe nausea or vomiting, pain on the right side of the stomach area (abdomen), drowsiness, dark urine (tea colored), bleeding or bruising more easily than normal, and feeling less hungry than usual

Intestinal problems (colitis)–signs and symptoms of colitis may include diarrhea (loose stools) or more bowel movements than usual, blood or mucous in the stools or dark, tarry, sticky stools, and severe stomach area (abdomen) pain or tenderness

Hormone gland problems (especially the thyroid, adrenal glands, pancreas, and pituitary)–signs and symptoms that the hormone glands are not working properly may include headaches that will not go away or unusual headaches, extreme tiredness, weight gain or weight loss, dizziness or fainting, feeling more hungry or thirsty than usual, hair loss, changes in mood or behavior (such as decreased sex drive, irritability, or forgetfulness), feeling cold, constipation, the voice gets deeper, urinating more often than usual, nausea or vomiting, and stomach area (abdomen) pain

Problems in other organs–signs and symptoms may include severe muscle weakness, numbness or tingling in hands or feet, confusion, blurry vision, double vision, or other vision problems, changes in mood or behavior, extreme sensitivity to light, neck stiffness, eye pain or redness, skin blisters or peeling, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, or swelling of the ankles

Severe infections–signs and symptoms of infection may include fever, cough, flu-like symptoms, pain when urinating, and frequent urination or back pain

Severe infusion reactions–signs and symptoms of infusion reactions may include chills or shaking, itching or rash, flushing, shortness of breath or wheezing, swelling of the face or lips, dizziness, fever, feeling like passing out, and back or neck pain

Getting medical treatment right away may help keep these problems from becoming more serious. A healthcare provider may treat patients with corticosteroid or hormone replacement medicines. A healthcare provider may delay or completely stop treatment with TECENTRIQ if patients have severe side effects.

Before receiving TECENTRIQ, patients should tell their healthcare provider about all of their medical conditions, including if they:

have immune system problems (such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or lupus); have had an organ transplant; have lung or breathing problems; have liver problems; have a condition that affects the nervous system (such as myasthenia gravis or Guillain-Barre syndrome); or are being treated for an infection

are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. TECENTRIQ can harm an unborn baby. Patients should tell their healthcare provider right away if they become pregnant or think they may be pregnant during treatment with TECENTRIQ. If patients are able to become pregnant:

A healthcare provider should do a pregnancy test before they start treatment with TECENTRIQ.

They should use an effective method of birth control during their treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose of TECENTRIQ.

are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is not known if TECENTRIQ passes into the breast milk. Do not breastfeed during treatment and for at least 5 months after the last dose of TECENTRIQ

Patients should tell their healthcare provider about all the medicines they take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

The most common side effects of TECENTRIQ in people with urothelial carcinoma include:

feeling tired

decreased appetite

nausea

constipation

urinary tract infection

diarrhea

fever

The most common side effects of TECENTRIQ in people with non-small cell lung cancer include:

feeling tired

decreased appetite

muscle pain

cough

shortness of breath

TECENTRIQ may cause fertility problems in females, which may affect the ability to have children. Patients should talk to their healthcare provider if you have concerns about fertility.

These are not all the possible side effects of TECENTRIQ. Patients should ask their healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information. Patients should call their doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Please visit http://www.Tecentriq.com for the TECENTRIQ full Prescribing Information for additional Important Safety Information.

About Genentech in Personalized Cancer Immunotherapy

For more than 30 years, Genentech has been developing medicines with the goal to redefine treatment in oncology. Today, we’re investing more than ever to bring personalized cancer immunotherapy (PCI) to people with cancer. The goal of PCI is to provide each person with a treatment tailored to harness his or her own immune system to fight cancer. Genentech is studying more than 20 investigational medicines, 10 of which are in clinical trials. In every study we are evaluating biomarkers to identify which people may be appropriate candidates for our medicines. For more information visit http://www.gene.com/cancer-immunotherapy.

About Genentech in Lung Cancer

Lung cancer is a major area of focus and investment for Genentech, and we are committed to developing new approaches, medicines and tests that can help people with this deadly disease. Our goal is to provide an effective treatment option for every person diagnosed with lung cancer. We currently have four approved medicines to treat certain kinds of lung cancer and more than 10 medicines being developed to target the most common genetic drivers of lung cancer or to boost the immune system to combat the disease.

About Genentech

Founded more than 40 years ago, Genentech is a leading biotechnology company that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to treat patients with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. The company, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information about the company, please visit http://www.gene.com.